The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

It's the day of the match against Grovehills and security is tight. The Grovehills students have just arrived, it's the student body President's job to show them to their section. I'm giving Michelle an encouraging pep talk before the competition. She's been picked to represent the archers in her class and is a little tense.

After that, I set out on my quest to find Arin and make my way to the Grovehills section of the arena. I find him towards the back fully decked out in his gear. He's checking the blade on one of his swords.

"Hey, thought I'd find you here." I stand next to him.

He puts the sword safely in its bolster and focuses on me. "Princess Cassandra, I'm surprised to see you here."

"Your grandfather didn't tell you to expect me?"

"He did, I didn't think you'd show up." He folds his arms across his chest.

"Well I did, and now I'm not sure why." I brush a lock of hair behind my ear.

He shakes his head. "Not quite sure either."

I huff and turn around to leave. He holds my arm to stop me. "I'm sorry, that was rude. I shouldn't have said that."

I don't turn back. "I've been nothing but nice to you since we met, I've done my share." I shrug his hand off and leave. I meet up with Axel and Paisley (the only one of my friends not competing today) at our seats.

"Where were you," Paisley asks.

"I went to talk to Arin Hames," I tell them. "Kind of wish I didn't."

Axel starts laughing. "You talked to Arin Hames. Why would you do that, that guy is such a prick." He almost falls over laughing.

"You know him?"

"We went to the same Preparatory school." He explains.

"Ah yes, the richy rich academy for stuck-up boys." Paisley jokes and we all laugh.

"All I'm saying is, that guy has never been the most social. He is the polar opposite of his family. Like me." He smiles.

I slowly shake my head as Director Lilian gives the opening speeches. She thanks Grovehills for coming and encourages everyone to give their best.

It starts and as expected Brimstone wins almost every match. Grovehills won the fourth years earth and the third years water elemental categories. Arin won for his group.

"Did you see the swordsmanship?" Paisley muses to herself. "His technique is impeccable, social skills or not, he's really strong."

After the competition, the rewards are handed out and the Grovehills students get ready to go. Axel and Paisley go congratulate the rest of our friends, I walk to lunch by myself.

"Princess Cassandra." I turn back and see Arin. He walks up and stretches out his medal to me.

I glance at it. "Why are you giving me this?"

"Well in the olden days, when the knight wins, he gives a token to the princess." I'm still confused.

"Okay," I say slowly. "But... why?"

He frowns. "I was being charming, I thought that was a charming story. I should have known it wouldn't be." He shoves the medal in his pocket. "I wanted to apologize, I shouldn't have acted that way towards you."

"It's alright, you act like that towards everyone. As I so recently heard."

He shakes his head. "My reputation precedes me. That's great."

"You're grandfather said you're sad and friendless. From what I've seen, he's not wrong." I say with a warm smile.

Fortunately, he's not offended by that. "Yep, it drives my parents crazy. I'm not too bothered by it though, I like my company. I'm pretty great."

"If only I were that confident in myself. I'll be bold enough to try out for Milton's match." That makes him smile.

"It's a shame you didn't perform. I would have loved to see you in action."

"Perform? Is that how you see this?"

He shrugs. "You do some moves hoping you don't get overpowered by your opponent while hundreds of people watch. Forgive me for not taking this seriously."

I shush him, laughing. "These people will not be happy to hear you say that. They are so intense, it's exhausting."

"Oh don't get me wrong, I'm intense too. Just not in the same way as them, you should see me during science fairs."

I laugh. "Why not, when is your next one? I'll love to come."

"Really." He has a small smile on his face. "You'll be bored, it's not any fun."

"Believe it or not I am a huge science nerd," I reveal. "Back home, I was in every science class. If I never came here, I'll probably be a doctor or an astrophysicist. I miss it, it's the one thing I'm good at."

For the first time since I met him, he laughs. "Okay Princess, you can come."

"Just tell me when it is and I'll be there," I promise. "And before you start getting ideas, it's not for you. It's for me."

"I wasn't getting any, I'll give you my number and you can give me a call."

I gasp. "Oh, now we're exchanging numbers. Okay. I see what you're doing, Hames."

He rolls his eyes. "It's funny that you think I have any game."

"I'm the first girl you're giving your number too right."

He looks away, a little embarrassed. "I'm already regretting this friendship." He takes my phone and punches his number in. "Here."

"Thank you." I save his number. "Be expecting my call, Hames."

"I will be." He gets a call on his phone and glances at the caller ID. "Is this you?"

I nod. "Just wanted to make sure you didn't give me a fake number, you seem like the kind of guy to do that."

He laughs again. "Not to you, Princess. You'll have your aunt hunt me down and force me into giving you the real thing. Why not save us all that stress."

"You should get going or the bus will leave without you."

"I should." He shoves his hands in his pocket and winces. "Here." He pulls out the medal. "If her majesty deems it worthy."

"Oh, the charm." I joke and collect it. "You sure you don't want it."

"It wouldn't look too good next to my academic trophies." Then adds in a louder voice. "The ones that matter."

I laugh louder. "Stop saying that, you'll cause a riot." I caress the metal. "Thanks for this, still not sure what to do with it but I'll treasure it."

"I have to go, see you soon." He waves a little before walking away. I realize that I'm standing in the middle of the street so I walk quickly to the dining hall. Once I'm in, I get my food and run into Mika on the way to my table.

"Kat was looking for you." She says. "She wanted to ask how it went with Arin."

I laugh. "Surprisingly good. He gave me his medal and his number. Not exactly in that order." I laugh. "We're going to a science fair soon, should be fun."

Mika's eyes widen. "Okay, that seems... nice. I'll tell Kat that you'll text her." She hurries away.

I walk over to my table and congratulate Sara and Michelle on their victories. "I have never been so proud of you girls," I say mock crying. "You were so good, you're definitely winning on unity Day."

"Thanks." Michelle beams. "I feel so much more confident about that."

"Me too," Sara says. "I had fun. But it's back to training tomorrow for me."

"I hear that and second it. Derek and I need all the help we can get."

"I guess it's us three tomorrow then," Axel says. "What do you want to do?"

I shrug. "We'll think of something." Later that evening, I get a call from Tristan. "Hey you, it's been a while."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Busy with training and everything."

"It's alright, what you're doing is important."

"Yeah, so what are you doing tomorrow."

"Why are you asking, you want to take me out?"

"Yes."

"Really, I was joking. I thought you had a lot of training to do."

"Yeah, but we missed our date last week. Let me make it up to you."

"I want to, but I can't bail on Axel and Paisley. It won't be fair."

He's silent for a second. "Okay, you can bring them with you. Why don't we make it a group thing. I'll bring some of my friends."

I laugh. "You're serious, okay. Where will we go, how are we getting there."

"You and your friends will ride in my car, mine will sort themselves out. And I'll think of something. I just want to spend the day with you."

"Aww, I'll tell them the news. This better be worth our while."

"It will, I promise."